Perkins: Cuomo Has Time To ‘Mend Fences’ With The Left

Sen. Bill Perkins, a Harlem Democrat who is one of the most liberal members of the Senate (he voted against all but two of the 10 budget bills and was excused for the others) , told me on CapTon last night that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ample time to make peace with the left.

“This was his first budget, so he’s got a few more to go and a few more other matters that he has to deal with particularly in terms of rent reform and things like that and hopefully by virtue of those other good things that he can do it will mitigate the kinds of concerns that people had about, let’s say, the millionaire’s tax and this particular budget,” the senator said.

“…But I think there is opportunity for him to do the right thing and regain the kind of enthusiasic support from certain folks like myself, depending on how he conducts himself over the balance of his term,” he added. “There are a lot of opportunities still out there. We have a lot of time to go to mend fences, build on some of the accomplishments that he’s made and other issues and policies that are still to be dealt with.”

Perkins, who holds former Gov. David Paterson’s old Senate seat, was on the show to discuss President Obama’s re-election bid. He was the first state-level Democratic official to break with the pack and endorse the then-Illinois senator against the hometown favorite, Hillary Clinton, in the 2008 primary.

I noted that Obama has also lost ground with the left, which is disappointed by the slow pace of change and the president’s willingness to make deals with the Republicans. Perkins said Obama, too, will be able to re-ignite his support with the grassroots, particularly if he uses the Tea Party as a foil.